Nov 17 (DM) Around 10,000 female sex workers of SL have organised themselves under a common banner to push for their legal and social recognition. Organisation called Prajasakthi Sanwardana Padanama (Community Empowerment Foundation), has been formed in the face of sex workers facing arrests, social discrimination and govt welfare benefits meant for others, according to its Executive Director H.A. Lakshman. more..

Nov 17 (FT) Aitken Spence PLC has recorded a revenue of Rs. 40.7 billion for the six months ending 30 September 2025, reflecting operational resilience across its diversified businesses. The Tourism sector accounted for 64.3% of Group revenue, while the Maritime and Freight Logistics sector and Strategic Investments sector contributed 19.4% and 13.9%, respectively. The Group’s Maritime and Freight Logistics sector reported profit from operations of Rs. 2.2 billion, more..

Nov 17 (Island) Off-spinner Nushan Perera created a piece of history for St. Joseph’s and Damesh Mathishan and Reshon Soloman took honours in their respective matches as St. Joseph’s, Darley Road and St. Joseph Vaz’s College Wennappuwa recorded victories in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ and ‘B’ tournament matches played during the weekend. ‎According to St. Joseph’s statisticians Nushan became the first bowler in their more than 100 year old cricket history to take more..

Nov 17 (Island) In the shadowy war against financial crime, SL’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) serves as the nation’s central nervous system, tirelessly tracking the illicit flows of money laundering and terror financing. At a recent event, Dr. Subhani Keerthiratne, Unit’s Director, pulled back the curtain on this critical operation, revealing both hard-won gains and a glaring, multi-million-rupee vulnerability: unchecked splurge more..

Nov 17 (FT) Nations Trust Bank has reported strong financial results for the nine months ending 30 Sept 2025, reporting a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 14.9 billion, up 23% year-on-year (YoY). In a statement, NTB said the bank’s performance is underpinned by strong asset growth, steady Net Interest Margins (NIMs), and asset quality, with a net Stage 3 ratio of 1.03%. A strong capital base continued to be the foundation of the bank’s growth story, with a Return on Equity (ROE) of 23.20%, more..

Nov 17 (Island) The blue economy means sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. It spans fisheries and aquaculture, port-led logistics, marine biotechnology, renewable offshore energy, coastal tourism & marine services, such as ocean observation and mapping. As an example, India is actively preparing to harness its marine assets through place-based policy, infrastructure more..

Nov 17 (FT) Lanka Coffee Association (LCA) held its 4th Annual General Meeting yesterday at the Waters’ Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Established in 2021, the LCA represents the collective interests of all stakeholders working to elevate SL’s coffee industry to new heights. Among its key initiatives is the Sri Lanka Coffee Festival, organised in collaboration with the Department of Export Agriculture and with the continued support and patronage of Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) more..

Nov 17 (FT) Midea, the world’s largest producer of consumer appliances and the global leader in air treatment, recognised SL’s Telesonic with the first-ever Sustainability Pioneer Award at its prestigious Global Strategic Partner Summit held in China. The three-day global summit for Midea’s world-leading Residential Air Conditioning directorate brought together over 500 of Midea’s leading partners from around the world, marking a landmark moment as Telesonic stood tall among global industry more..

Nov 17 (CI) Pakistan eased to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka to seal a 3-0 series whitewash. Three wickets from Mohammad Wasim and contributions from others bowled SL out for 211, before a half-century by Fakhar Zaman took much of the jeopardy out of the chase. SL fought hard through the middle, getting rid of Babar Azam and Salman Agha in quick succession, and though it succeeded in slowing Pakistan down, more..

Nov 17 (Island) Politics and conflicts are as inseparable as conjoined twins. However, conflicts are not inherently negative or harmful. They, if handled properly, promote creativity and innovation, with disagreements driving people to reconsider assumptions and propose fresh ideas and make better decisions collectively, as in advanced democracies. If mismanaged, they could lead to bitter acrimony and clashes, paving the way for binary approaches to contentious issues, more..

Nov 17 (SO) In a chilling sequence of events that has sent shockwaves across South Asia, two devastating explosions struck the capitals of India and Pakistan within 24 hours of each other early this month. On Nov 10, a car bomb detonated near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 30 in the heart of India’s bustling capital. Just a day later, on Nov 11, a suicide bomber targeted Islamabad’s District Judicial Complex, claiming 12 lives and wounding dozens more more..

Nov 17 (CT) The above is not a joyful song of Lanka but a sad and desperate cry of our dear Mother Lanka. Who listens to her? Only sincere patriots, the legitimate children of Mother Lanka; Workers, domestic and otherwise in the Middle East, South Korea, Japan, Israel, Italy and other EU countries, mercenaries in Russia and so on. Who are the deaf who do not hear her? They are the betraying bastards of Mother Lanka. Some of them are foreigners. more..

Nov 17 (TM) Sri Lanka’s recent decision to make it mandatory for businesses to charge for single-use polythene bags marks another attempt to steer the country toward a more environmentally responsible future. On paper, the move is sound since it discourages the use and careless disposal of polythene. Many welcomed the Govt’s decision, seeing it as a long-overdue step towards reducing plastic pollution. However, as with many policies, the implementation seems to have gaps. more..

Nov 17 (SO) Police and Central Bank officials said that these platforms, many of which advertise heavily on social media, are exploiting financially vulnerable people by offering small, quick loans at crippling interest rates. Once borrowers agree to the terms — often through a mobile app — they unwittingly expose a wealth of personal data, including identity card numbers, addresses, bank account details, emails and phone numbers. more..

Nov 17 (ST) We are here because we lost and you won. It is not because you are morally superior’ thunders Reichmarshall Herman Goering to United States Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley entrusted with the fiendishly difficult task of decoding the DNA of a monster in the run up to the trials of key Nazi leaders for war crimes before the International Military Trial at Nuremberg after the surrender of Germany to the Allied powers in 1945, marking the end of World War II. more..

Nov 17 (CT) SL’s public health system was once a source of national pride — a promise that every citizen, regardless of wealth, would receive the care they needed. Today, that promise is slipping away. A recent Ceylon Today investigation revealed that the Health Ministry has failed to meet 26 of its Service Delivery Indicator targets, exposing deep dysfunction and long-standing weaknesses within State-run hospitals. At the same time, the cost of private healthcare has risen sharply more..

Nov 17 (TM) While the Govt’s plan to increase the daily wage of plantation workers has received commendation for its social welfare aspect, it leaves much to be desired in terms of enforcing national fiscal discipline. Prez in his Budget speech outlined the Govt’s plans for uplifting the living standards of plantation workers, noting: “It is our position that estate workers should be paid a fair daily wage commensurate with their service.” more..

Nov 17 (DM) This analysis is inspired by a recent article published in the Colombo Gazette, which reported that Indian intelligence agencies have issued warnings about a possible alliance between the Dawood Ibrahim (D-Company) criminal syndicate and remnants of the LTTE. According to the report, the D-Syndicate, under financial strain following crackdowns in western and northern India, is attempting to exploit South Indian and SL maritime routes to expand its narcotics trade. more..

Nov 17 (DM) Finland has consistently been ranked the world’s happiest nation, a title it has held for several years running in the UN’s World Happiness Report. This remarkable achievement isn’t attributed to a single factor but is a deeply rooted societal construct built upon strong pillars of trust, security, nature, excellent education, discipline, respect for the law, mutual respect, and a profound sense of meaning in life. Understanding this “Finnish Recipe” offers profound insights into more..

Nov 16 (ST) As the govt grapples with the challenges that beset the ruling party, several opposition parties are readying for a showdown with a planned public rally at Nugegoda on Friday. While the SJB, has decided, amidst severe internal discussions, to opt out of the joint rally, anti-govt effort has brought together an interesting mix of political forces, giving credence to the saying There are no permanent enemies; no permanent more..

Nov 16 (AD) Several transfers and appointments involving high-ranking police officers have been made as per a decision of the National Police Commission (NPC). Accordingly, Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (SDIG) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne has been transferred from the post of Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province to the post of Senior DIG in charge of Police Administration. Senior DIG S.C. Medawatte has been transferred from post of Senior DIG more..

Nov 16 (ST) A five-member CID team has left for the UK to probe the authenticity of the invitation letter allegedly sent by the University of Wolverhampton to former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, but the visit has gone ahead without informing or the instructions of the Attorney General. AG’s Dept had been kept in the dark regarding the CID team’s UK visit, and no instructions from the Attorney General had been sought by senior CID officers in charge of the probe prior to the team’s departure. more..

Nov 16 (TM) Govt is yet to decide whether it will proceed with the previous administration’s Expression of Interest (EOI) or call for new EOIs internationally from strategic investors for the joint development of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm in partnership with Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL). It has been over a year since TPTL invited EOIs. In July last year, TPTL, a Joint Venture (JV) between CPC) and LIOC under more..

Nov 16 (AD) A Gazette notification has been issued amending the maximum retail prices (MRPs) imposed for canned fish, effective from today (15). CAA, through this Extraordinary Gazette, has updated the MRPs for various types of canned fish. The order, issued under Section 20(5) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003, prohibits any local manufacturer, packer, distributor, or trader from selling, displaying, or offering for sale canned fish above the specified MRPs. more..

Nov 16 (AD) An interim report containing proposals and ideas for establishing the necessary framework and formal institution to develop a structured salary scheme and enhance professionalism in the public service was presented to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Admin, PCs and LG by the Chairman of the appointed subcommittee, MP Chandana Sooriyarachchi. This was presented during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, more..

Nov 16 (ST) There seems to be ambiguity on the granting of a wage hike to estate workers as smallholders complain they have not been informed as to how they need to increase the pay as proposed in the budget. The government has come to an agreement with the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) to increase wages of estate workers by paying an additional Rs.200 from the RPCs and another Rs.200 from the govt. Kalutara and Galle Smallholders Tea Estate more..

Nov 16 (ST) SL’s tourism industry is hoping this winter there could be a 20-25% growth in arrivals but the overall numbers for the year is expected to fall short of the 3 million target. Industry officials point out that they continue to exert pressure on the authorities to carry out the necessary marketing campaigns as required to improve the number of arrivals. It was observed that while the budget has looked at expanding the services and improving the infrastructure development like more..

Nov 16 (AD) Extended discussions were held at the COPE regarding the delay in construction activities of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port and the circumstances that arose due to the delay of the entire project. These discussions took place at the meeting held on Nov 13 in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Nishantha Samaraweera, Chair of COPE, in order to examine AG’s Reports for the years 2022 & 2023 more..

Nov 16 (DM) UNP has raised concerns over a remark made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the 36th Il Maha Viru Samaruma, claiming that a key comment was deliberately excluded from the official record of the event. According to the UNP, Prez’s statement that a crown did not fall on our head by drifting down a drain was delivered during his speech at the commemoration but was not included in the official press release titled Remarks by Comrade Dissanayake at 36th Il Maha Viru more..

Nov 16 (AD) Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake, who had been serving as the Acting Senior DIG in charge of the Police Administration Division, has reportedly been removed from the position by the National Police Commission, pending disciplinary action. However, Lalith Pathinayake will continue to serve as the Senior DIG in charge of the Central Province. Meanwhile, the National Police Commission has approved the appointment of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, who is in charge of the WP, more..

Nov 16 (NW) Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said in Parliament this afternoon (15) that officiala from parliament secretariat traveling abroad more frequently than necessary. He noted that while some officials have made multiple foreign trips, they have not presented a single effective proposal for the benefit of the country. Rathnayake added that although there are capable officers in Parliament, many have never visited a foreign country. more..

Nov 16 (NW) Police have appealed for public assistance to identify a suspect wanted over an incident in Arugam Bay, where a foreign woman reported an attempt of sexual assault. According to police, the woman had posted a video online showing the suspect engaging in indecent sexual behaviour, prompting the Pottuvil Police to begin investigations into the incident, which reportedly occurred on the 25th. Police urged anyone with information on the suspect to contact more..